Your guess is as good as mine. I've 7.5 acres (no big deal), which was quite rough when I purchased such 4 years ago, with large trees down (hurricane a decade earlier), swampy spots, brush all over and stands of small pines. So, I obtained an
L3410 (GST, because I needed the pto power but was way past tired from a 5 speed stick shift in my car to buy another geared shifter). Anyhow, the tractor was underpowered for many things I attempted, most but not all successfully, and now, after 4 years of hard work, every darn weekend, the tractor is overpowered. Basically, when I need to brush/treee cut with a 1100 lbs unit (5 feet wide Woods), post hole dig a fence line, dig out tree roots, box blade a 1000 foot driveway (crown, ditches, etc), the
L3410 was "challenged" (being politically correct). Now, with the heavy stuff done, most of the property covered with field grass and semi-groomed trees, my wife had "observed" (OK, she's bitching) about tractor tracks on the lawn when I mow the field grass (now with a lighter duty and sharpened blade 6 foot cutter). So, a smaller/lighter "footprint" tractor would be optimal.
BUT --- most of us (including me) can only reasonably afford one tractor per decade, so ----- the
L3410 was, and remains, a compromise.
Sort of reminds me of skiies. I liked to ski moguls, but when it snowed heavily, the powder slopes beckoned. A good mogul ski is NOT optimal for moguls. So, not having the cash for 2 sets of skies, I purchased a compromise "all purpose" set. The alternative was to get a specialized ski, and rent another pair when needed. However, renting another tractor is not easy.
So, figure out what you need, over the next decade, and select whatever tractor is the best compromise - that's life
